Valve assembly for a compressor

Abstract

An improved valve plate assembly is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for use in compressors and particularly refrigeration compressors employing pressure responsive reed type valving. The present invention provides several arrangements whereby the velocity of valve member may be reduced as it moves into a closed position so as to substantially reduce the resulting noise generated therefrom.

We claim: 
     
       1. A valve assembly for a compressor comprising: a valve plate having a gas passage extending therethrough;   an elongated valve member having a portion overlying said passage and operative to selectively control flow of gas therethrough;   resilient biasing means acting on said valve member adjacent said one end for exerting a moment on said valve member adjacent one end thereof, said moment being operative to normally position said portion in slightly spaced relationship to said valve plate when said valve member is in an at rest position; and   fastener means extending from said valve plate for retaining said biasing means and said valve member in assembled relationship with said valve plate.   
     
     
       2. A valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said resilient biasing means comprise a helical coil spring. 
     
     
       3. A valve assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said valve plate assembly is secured between a head and a compressor housing in overlying relationship to a compression chamber, said fastener having an end positioned equal to or slightly above the surface of said valve plate facing said head whereby said head and an associated sealing means may operate to inhibit relative movement of said fastener means. 
     
     
       4. A valve assembly for a compressor comprising: a valve plate having a gas passage extending therethrough;   an elongated valve member having a portion overlying said passage and operative to selectively control flow of gas therethrough; and   a fulcrum point on said valve plate engaging said valve member and biasing means acting against said valve member between said fulcrum point and said one end for exerting a moment on said valve member adjacent one end thereof, said moment being operative to normally position said portion in slightly spaced relationship to said valve plate when said valve member is in an at rest position.   
     
     
       5. A valve assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said biasing means further operates to exert a preloading on said valve member operative to maintain its engagement with said fulcrum point. 
     
     
       6. A valve assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said resilient biasing means comprise a helical coil spring. 
     
     
       7. A valve assembly for a compressor comprising: a valve plate adapted to be secured in overlying relationship to a compression chamber and including passage means for conducting fluid to or from said compression chamber;   an elongated pressure actuated reed valve means extending across said compression chamber and positioned in overlying relationship to said passage means, said valve means being movable from an open position to a closed position wherein said valve means sealingly engages said valve plate so as to substantially prevent flow of fluid through said passage; and   biasing means adjacent opposite ends of said valve means to exert moments thereon whereby a center portion thereof is biased into a slightly spaced relationship with respect to said valve plate so as to thereby provide a slight resistance to movement of said valve member into said closed position whereby the noise generated by engagement of said valve member with said valve plate is substantially reduced.